The Villain Can't Lose

[Nari's POV: The Same day]

As I watched the man scribbling on the paper, a strange and ethereal light emanated from his pen, like he was unleashing something powerful and otherworldly onto the page. My instincts kicked in, and I knew I needed to get out of there as quickly as possible. With my heart racing and my palms sweating, I jumped from my spot and stumbled away from the man, my legs trembling with fear and adrenaline. I had no idea what kind of magic he was wielding, but I knew that I couldn't be near it. When I looked back at the man, his eyes were a deep, piercing red, confirming my decision to flee.

As I continued to watch, the man's skin began to turn dark, almost as if it was being consumed by some kind of dark magic. Despite the danger he posed, I felt strangely calm. I had always known that I was different, that I possessed a power that most people lacked. Now, as I watched him unleash his magic, I knew it was my turn to do the same.

I closed my eyes and focused, feeling the energy within me begin to build and coalesce in my hands. I manipulated the mana, molding it into a blade that glowed with a brilliant blue light. When I opened my eyes, the man was rushing toward me, his eyes blazing with fury and power. But I stood my ground, holding my blade aloft, ready for whatever he might throw at me.

As he reached me, he raised his hands and unleashed a torrent of dark energy. With a flick of my wrist, I sent my own blade of mana hurtling toward him. The two energies collided in a brilliant explosion of light and sound, and for a moment, it seemed as though the very fabric of reality was being torn apart. I could smell burning ozone as the two energy blades clashed.

When the chaos finally subsided, I saw the man lying on the ground, his body wracked with spasms. I had won, but I knew my journey was far from over. There would always be others like him, seeking to use their magic for evil purposes. I was ready for them. I hoped Rowen was ready for them too…

As I approached the fallen man, a mix of curiosity and unease gnawed at me. His body writhed on the ground, but something was off. I couldn't put my finger on it, but it felt as if he was slowly fading away. His skin vanished into thin air like dust.

Crouching beside him, I reached out tentatively, my fingers grazing his arm. To my surprise, my hand passed right through his skin, as if he was no more than a ghost. I recoiled in shock, heart racing and palms sweaty. What kind of magic was this? Was he even human?

As the man's body continued to disintegrate before my eyes, leaving nothing but a pile of ash, I stared at it, trying to make sense of what had just happened. What did it mean for me and my own powers? I knew I had to keep looking for answers, determined to uncover his secrets.

Watching the last remnants of the man disappear into thin air, I realized I had a unique opportunity before me. The paper that he had been writing on was still there, untouched and unscathed by the magic that had consumed the man's body. Anticipation built within me as I walked over to it.

Looking down at the page, I saw intricate symbols and glyphs covering it, each one pulsing with a faint, otherworldly energy. It was as if the man had been trying to channel some kind of ancient magic through his writing, using the symbols to guide and shape its power.

The smell of burning ozone still lingered in the air, and I could feel the energy from the collision of our blades resonating through my body.

There was so much I still didn't understand about his power, and the stakes were higher than ever before.

With the power he possessed, it was clear that he was not someone to be taken lightly. I needed to learn all I could about this man and the magic he wielded.

I reached out tentatively and touched one of the symbols, feeling a jolt of energy shoot through my fingertips. My heart raced as I experienced this raw, wild power that seemed to surge through every fibre of my being.

My palms became sweaty, and my legs trembled with a mix of excitement and fear. Even as I felt the intensity of the magic, I knew that I had to be careful. Magic was a dangerous thing, and it could be all too easy to lose control.

With that in mind, I began to study the symbols more closely, trying to decipher their meaning and purpose. I was in the king's private study, surrounded by books and artefacts that hinted at the vastness of his knowledge. I knew that there was much to be learned here, much that could help me to understand…

As I poured over the symbols on the paper, lost in thought and discovery, I suddenly felt a presence behind me. The study was silent except for the sound of my own breathing, so I knew that someone important had entered.

Without turning around, I knew that it was someone with power and authority. And then, a voice spoke, so close to my ear that I could feel the warmth of their breath.

"What are you doing here?"

I jumped in surprise, my heart racing with fear and uncertainty. I turned around to face the speaker and saw the crown prince standing there, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made me feel uncomfortable.

He was a man of great power and influence, someone who could make or break the fortunes of anyone in the kingdom. And now, he was standing behind me, whispering into my ear in a way that made me feel exposed and vulnerable.

I tried to keep my composure, but it was difficult. His words sent shivers down my spine, and I found myself wanting to step away, to put some distance between us. But I couldn't. He was the crown prince, and I was just a lowly maid, a nobody in the grand scheme of things.

As he continued to speak, I felt a sense of unease building within me. I knew what his intentions were, or what he wanted from me.

All I could understand was that I wanted to get away, to be anywhere but here, in this moment of discomfort and uncertainty.

"What a noisy bird…"